Born in Jullundur (now Jalandhar) in September 1903, Major Syed Wazir Ali, a right-handed batsman and a medium pace bowler, went on to play 7 Tests for India. Wazir. He was a part of all the...Full profile

Born in Jullundur (now Jalandhar) in September 1903, Major Syed Wazir Ali, a right-handed batsman and a medium pace bowler, went on to play 7 Tests for India. Wazir. He was a part of all the Test matches India played before the second World War.

During the tour of England in 1932, Wazir was in great form. He scored a total of 1725 runs, out of which 1229 came in first-class matches. His success can also be measured by the fact that he scored six centuries on the tour.

On his second tour to England in 1936, he injured his hand and even though he was out of action for a month, he came back with a bang and registered the highest score by an Indian on the tour, 155 not out against England XI at Folkestone. He also made his highest Test score (42) on this tour at Old Trafford.

Known for his powerful strokeplay, Wazir played most of his first-class cricket for Muslims in the Bombay Pentangular and Southern Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. He made an unbeaten 222 in the 1938/39 Ranji final against Bengal, but still his team lost the game.

He also held the record for the highest score in Indian first-class cricket at that time, 268 not out for Indian University Occasionals. His record was only broken in 1939/40 when Vijay Hazare went past him by making an unbeaten 316. He featured in 121 first-class games over his career, garnering 7212 runs at an average of 38.77.

It is believed that Wazir Ali was not a big fan of his contemporary, CK Nayudu. Even though his position in the team was second only to Nayudu, Wazir didn't enjoy playing in Nayudu's shadow. Wazir also captained India in two unofficial Tests against and Australian side in 1935/36. Nayudu was the skipper of the side for the first two matches but pulled out of the remaining games and Wazir was asked to lead the side then.

After the partition in 1947, Wazir migrated to Pakistan and died three years later after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. He was 46 years old.

Wazir's younger brother, Nazir Ali, also represented India in Tests. His son, Khalid Wazir, played two Tests for Pakistan in 1954.